Machine for making the stud members of snap-buttons



W. NELSON. MACHINE FOR MAKING THE STUD MEMBERS OF SNAP BUTTONS.

} APPLICATION FILED SPT. 22, I916. 1,358,772. Patented Nov. 16,1920.

8 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W. NELSON. MACHINE FOR MAKING THE STUD MEMBERS OF SNAP BUTTON3.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22. 1916.

1,358,772. Patented Nov. 16, 1920;

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. NELSON.

MACHINE FOR MAKING THE STUD MEMBERS OF SNAP BUTTONS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22. ms.

1,358,772. PatentedNov. 16,1920.

B SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W. NELSON.

MACHINE FOR MAKING THE STUD MEMBERS OF SNAP BUTTONS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.22, I9I6.

1 58,772. Pia tented Nov. 16, 1920.

a SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W. NELSON. MACHINE FOR MAKING THE STUD MEMBERS OF SNAP BUTTONS. APPLICATION FILED SEPT.22, 1916.

1,358,772. v Patented Nov. 16; 1920.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5- W. NELSON,

MACHINE FOR MAKING THE STUD MEMBERS 0 SNAP BUTTONS. APPLICATION FILED sew. 22. me.

1,358,772. Patented Nov. 16,1920.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

W. NELSON.

MACHINE FOR MAKING THE STUD MEMBERS OF SNAP BUTTONS.

APPUCATION FILED SEPT.22, l9l6- Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

M I I a SHEETS-SHEET? W. NELSON.

MACHINE FOR MAKING THE STUD MEMBERS OF SNAP BUTTONS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, I916.

Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

' B SHEETS-SHEET 8- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM. NELSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO 7 CONSOLIDATED AMERICAN FASTENER COMPANIES, ING, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

A GORPORATTON OF NEN YORK.

MACHINE FOR MAKING THE STUD MEMBERS OF SNAP-BUTTONS.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Application filed September 22, 1916. Serial No. 121,622.

T 0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM NnLsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing in New York, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Making the Stud Members of Snapl3uttons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the manufacture of one of the parts of the well known snap fastener or press button, which comprises two members, a stud and a socket.

The stud member made by my improved machine consists of a circular base having its edge doubled to provide a thick and smooth periphery and a post which rises from the center of the base and is formed with a head or enlargement at its upper or outer end.

The machine for making the stud is adapted to first progressively form in a strip of sheet metal the post, to then form holes in the base to receive the thread which attaches the stud to a garment or fabric, to then form or shape the head on the post, to then emboss on the base the initials of the manufacturer, to then cut the stud blank from the stock and partially turn the edge of the base, and to then flatten said turned edge and thus complete the stud which is then ejected from the machine.

The stock in the form of a metal strip or ribbon is led through a guide from which it passes between a series of sets of upper and lower dies and punches. The first set of dies progressively draws the metal to form the post or shank of the stud, then piercing devices carried by the upper or movable die carrier cut thread holes in the stock close to the post. Then a set of chucks carried by the movable die carrier forms and gives shape to the outer end of the post and after this is done a suitable die on the lower set of dies applies the initials of the manufacturer to the underside of the base portion of the stud. These operations are accomplished before the stud is blanked out, 2'. 6., before the base portion of the stud is separated from the stock. After the initials are applied, another set of dies operates to cut or blank out the stud by separating the base from the stock and at the same time partially turns the edge of the base.

Finally the edge is completely turned and doubled by another set of dies and the stud is thus completed.

The stock is fed step by step between the dies and punches by a novel form of inter mittently operated feeding device in such manner that the part of the stock from which each stud is formed is successively operated upon by the different dies and punches until it is gradually drawn, bent or pressed into shape.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stud making machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 1s a top plan view showing the general arrangement of the lower dies, the.

projection for the post of the stud, the

piercing dies and one set of dies for forming the head of the stud;

Fig. 7 is a detail view in perspective of the notcher;

F ig. 8 is a similar view with the parts in a difierent position;

Fig. 9 is a detail plan view on an enlarged scale of the lower dies and cooperating mechanism for giving shape to the heads of the studs, stamping the initials of the manufacturer on the base of the stud, cutting or severing the base from the stock,

partially bending the edge of the base and for giving the final bend to the edge portion of the stock- It also shows in plan the stock guiding andfeeding mechanism at the exit end of the machine;

Fig. 10 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, of the upper die members which cooperate with those shown in Fig. 3. It also shows a part of the stock feeding mechanism Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

Fig. 11 shows a vertical section of the parts illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10;

Fig. 12 is a detail view in vertical section of one of the chucks; V

' Fig. 13 is a detail view; in vertical section, of the upper and lower dies for blanking out the studs and for ."ending the edges of the stud bases. In Fig. 13 the upper dies are shown in elevated position; 7

Fig. i l is a view similar to fig. 13, but

dies to the finishing dies;

Fig. 1? shows how th'efinishing dies operate' Y 1 Fig 18 is a perspective view. of the fin ished stud. l r I The frame Z of-the machine may be'of any: suitable construction. The lower dies are supported on the lower portion of the machine and the upper dies aresupported on the upper part thereof and are operated by any suitable mechanism Z H V The stock in the form of a metal strip or ribbon X is passedthrough a guide and between the upper and lower dies and punches to a stock feeder B, whichis operated in the manner hereinafter described to pull the stock through the machine between the dies. The entrance. guide A comprisesa base a to which are attached two grooved guide members (1 one of which is stationary,v while the other is 'movable sidewise on the base. Said movable. member is slotted as indicated at a and headed screws 0; connect it with the base and limit its sidewise movement. Springs a tend to draw the movable member toward the stationary one and thus the stock is truly guided without undue pressure or friction.

The stock then passes to a device G which progressively cuts out from the metal a small part of the edge portion of the strip to form a shoulder a which engages a part c of the device and limits the forward movement of the stock while being fed. This device insures accuracy of feed, inas much as the part 0 lies in front of the shoulder 0 during the forward movement'of the stock and thus prevents any false movement due to the momentum of themetal or the improper action of the stock feeder. The notcher C comprises upper members C supported by the upper die carrier D. and lower members C supported by the bed plate As the upper die carrier descends, thememhere C out from one edge of the stock a small strip of metal forming the shoulder othus gradually decreasing the width of the strip.

The upper and lower dies and punches for forming the studs are carried by an upper die carrier D and the bed plate E. The upper die-carrier is raised and lowered by any suitable mechanism Z and it is guided by posts F rising from the base and entering socketsF in the die-carrier.

The stock is first operated upon by upper and lower dies G G to draw the metal in such manner as to gradually form a projection on the stock which is subsequently shaped to form the headed post of the stud.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 2 that the lower die G is provided with a series of projections 9 9 9 ,9 9 g? The pro ections are all of the same height" but those g g g g gradually decrease in width, while the projections 9 g, are of the sai width as the projection 9*. the upper-die G in like manner is provided with 4 s 1 se ri es o f depress1ons 9 g 9 g, g,

winch cooperate w th the pro ections 9 etc,

to first form a hollow relatlvely wide pro ection'on the stock and to then gradually re duce its diameter without increasing or decreasing its height. This is done by gradually drawing the metal from the stock and then returning part of the metal theretop In this way undue strain orbreakage of the metal is avoided. r 7

By reference to Fig. 6 it will be observed 7 100 die bodies which rest on the bed plate E' and extend through a block G and into a that the projections 9 etc., are formed on and lower punches H, H which pierce the part of the stock which is to form the base of the stud and to thus form holes for the thread by. means of which the stud is secured'to a garment or to a fabric. The punch member'H comprises four rods h and the punch member H is provided-with four holes 7& to receive the rods 7&- is formed in the bed of the machine through which the metal punched out from the stock falls. The member H is provided with a spring pressed'stripper k of well known construction. 7 p I The next operation is to form the head A hole It onthe projection from the stock. This is ported by the die-carrier D and the lower dies are supported by the bed E. The upper dies comprise a block 2' attached to the carrier D in which are mounted three sets of formers 71 each set being made in four sections which are free tornove laterally to a limited extent. Each set of formers extends down into a stripper l which is pressed downwardly by springs The stripper is formed with holes 2' into which the formers extend and these holes are reduced in diameter at their lower portion providing inclined walls a with which engage the inclined lower portions 5 of the formers and cause them to approach each other and form the head on the stud and press it into the required shape. It will be observed that these formers are formed with recesses 13 for the purpose. The formers cooperate with the mandrels a" on the lower dies. Normally the outer ends of the mandrels are disposed below the top of a spring pressed stripper P, but when the upper dies descend the strippers I and I yield. The mandrels enter the projections on the stock and the formers cooperate with the mandrels to give'shape to the shank and head of the stud. The first set of dies give the general shape to the head, while the other two complete the operation. It will be observed byreference to Fig. 10, that each set of formers is arranged at a different angle so that the stud is pressed at diiferent' parts and thus a smooth product is assured. The

parts marked you the stripper and on other parts of the machine are merely recesses to receive the stud when the die descends between shaping operations. In this way the dies may be suitably shaped and sufliciently sepa rated and the required step by step movement of the stock may be performed witlr out crushing the stud. The parts marked are merely guides for centering the dies and any suitable number-may be employed.

The next operation is to emboss the initials of the manufacturer on the underside of that portion of the stock which is to form the base of the stud. This is done by the dies J and J carried respectively by the diecarrier and the machine base.

Having thus formed the headed post of the stud, it remains to blank out the base thereof, double the edge of the base and eject the completed stud from the machine.

rom the dies J. J. the stock is fed in such manner as to bring the stud blank below a die K and above a die E The die K comprises a block secured to the carrier D and to which is attached a hollow bar or punch 7& which extends through the stripper 72 Within the punch 72 is a hollow plunger 70 mounted to move vertically in the punch and topped by a headed screw Z2 upon which bears a spring 70 within the punch. The plunger 1s formed at its lower end with a head 70 fitting a recesslc in the lower end of the punch and this head carries a vertically movable pin Z4 which is pressed down by a spring 70 The lower edge 76 of the punch acts as a cutter to sever the stud blank from the stock and it I also serves to form a flange on the blank in the manner hereinafter described.

The lower die K comprises a block Z supported on the bed E and formed with holes to receive springs Z which support a stripper Z mounted in a plate Z which rests on the block Z. A plate Z forming part of the frame supports a .die Z which co'ciperates with the punch to sever the stud blank from the stock. M indicates spring pressed jaws which serve to hold the stud blank after it descends with the die K and just before it is transferred to the finishing die. M indi cates a mandrel which supports the stud blank after it is severed from the stock and until it is transferred to the finishing die.

The finishing dies are arranged to one side of the line of feed of the stock as indicated in Figs. 2 and 9. The upper die N, Fig. 13, is attached to the block is. It comprises a hollow bar carrying a spring pressed stripper pin a. The lower end of the bar is formed with an annular peripheral recess a, whichis'adapted to cooperate with the lower die to double and flatten down the edge of the base portion of the stud. The lower die N consists of an anvil having in its upper end a recess suitably shaped to receive the stud, and cooperating with the upper die N to give final shape to the stud. A slide O having a bifurcated end 0 is employed for transferring the stud from the die K to the finishing dies N, N This slide, as shown in Figs. 2 and 9, is recipro cated by suitable mechanism P operated in any convenient way.

Fig. 13 shows the position of the partially formed stud while still attached to the stock and while resting on the lower die K As. soon as the upper die K descends the spring pressed pin 70 engages the top of the stud butyields and imparts no undue pressure thereto, and then the'punch operatesto sever the stud from the stock. This is illustrated in Fig. 14. As the punch further descends, the edge of the stud blank is turned down, as indicated in 15, the stripper Z yielding as indicated. When the stud is in this condition, the upper die rises and the stripper also rises and then the stud is held by the jaws immediately after this, the slide 0 is operated to engage the stud and transfer it to the finishing die N in the manner indicated in Fig. 16. l/Vhen the dies again descend the upper die N presses the stud against the lower die (Fig. 17) and this turns inward the flange on the blank and doubles it under the base and finally flattens it down beneath the base.

V rea ers a The send is now complete and it isremoved from'the'finishing dies by a blower Q of any suitable construction. -The outer end of the blow pipe 9 is arranged in front of the die N and the stud is blown against a hood or shield R and then drops through a hole 7". The valve of the blowing appa ratus is indicated at g and this is opened on the up stroke of the press, by a, cam g pivoted to an arm depending from the die-carrier D. The cam is drawn in one direction by a spring 9*, which allows the cam to yield and pass the valve without operating it on the down stroke, but on the up ;:stroke of the die-carrier the valve is opened by the cam as will be clear from an inspection of Fig. 3 of the drawings. 7

The upperdie may be raised and lowered I in any suitable way, as indicated at Z Fig. 1. The stock is preferably fed through the machine by the feed mechanism shown, perticularl in Figs. 3 and 11. There are two levers and T, pivotally connected 'W1tl1 each other at 5. These levers have cooperating jaws 8 5 adapted to engage thestock.

The lower lever T is pivoted to the base at t and it is prov ded wlth a brake TIWlllCll resists to some extent its pivotal movement.

"' i Theupper lever is provided with a roller 3Qgoperating in a cam slot '1 in a cam plate V attached to the upper die-carrier. The

' rangement is such that when the am is loweredthe aws are opened, but when the cam ascends the gaws close, grasp the stock and :feed it forward a single step. On the downward movement of the cam, the upper lever zmoves slightly independently at the lower one and then the two levers swing on ward'together. Qn the return movement the Q0 operation is reversed. The upper lever first swings independently of-the lower one, the

stock is grasped and the twolevers thenswing together. Tn order to regulate the inoveme 'it of the levers and also to regulate lathe feed; of the stock, I employ a stop W consisting of a frame. piece w carrying an adjustable screw 10 the feeder below a guide spring d 'which prevents the stock from rising, buckling or -nioving backward during the inward movement of the feeder. 7

It will be understood that the feed of the stock also regulated and made certain by the notcher C which forms the shoulders on the edge of the stock and prevents the overthrow thereof while being fed. l i'gs. t and 5 illustrate the different steps of the operation oi. the dies on the stock.

The parts 1, 2, 3, t, 5 and 6 are form d successively by the dies 9, etc. "(f indicates a part which is not operated upon by the dies. 8 indicates Where the thread holes are formed. 9, 11, 13 and 15 indicate parts not operated upon by the dies, whilelO, 12 and The stock passes to 1d show where the head pf thev stud is produced. 16 indicates .where the initials of the manufacturer are applied. 17 and 18 indicate parts not operated upon by the dies and 19 indicates where the stud is cut or blanked out from the stock. By comparingthe diagrammatic. views shown in Figs. 4t

and 5vvith the different-sets of dies, etc.,

before described, the manner in which the stud is produced Wlll be clearly understood. The mach ne thus constructed is simple and efficient and operates to deliver the completedstuds in rapid succession. It will be 7 understood that while one stud being completed, other studs are in process of formation, and while a number of operations are required to complete a stud,tliere is no loss of time inasmuch as the mechanism is so or-'' all the other operations are taking place.

I claim as my invention: V

1. In a studmaking machine, the combination of the machinebe'd, a vertically movable upper die-carrier supported by the bed,

' anized as toperf'orm each operation while a stock guide at: the entrance end of the machine, a stock feeder at the exit end thereof, meansoperated by the movement of the upper die-carrier for actuating the stock iteedena guide for the stock close to the stockfeeder and in advance thereof, and cooperating dies carried by the bed and the u er diecarrier for first forming theheaded not of the stud, then blanking it out and then finishing. the base by doubling and flattening the edge portion thereof.

2. In a stud making machine, the combination of the machine bed, a vertically movableupp'er didcarrier supported by the bed, stock guide at the entrance end of the machine, an intermittently actuatedstock der, cooperating d1es carried by the bed l and the upper die-carrier forforming the stud, and a punch actuated by the upper die,

projection on the stock, companion dies for blanking out the stud from the stock and for bending the edge port on thereof, com; panion d1es for doubllng and flattening said edge portion, and means movable 'trans versely to-the line of stock feed for transferring the stud from the blanking out dies to the doubling dies, 7 1

I l. Ina stud making machine, the combination of the machine bed, a vertically movable upper die-carrier, means for advanc ing the stock step by step between the bed and the carrier, means for forming a head ed projection on the stock, companion dies for blanking out the stud from the stock and for bending the edge portion thereof, companion dies for doubling and flattening said edge aortion, means movable transversely to t e line of stock feed for transferring the stud from the blanking out dies to the doubling dies, and a blower actuated by the die-carrier for removing the completed stud from the doublin die.

5. I11 a stud making machlne, the combination of the machine bed, a vertically movable upper die-carrier, mean for advancing the stock step by step between the bed and carrier, means for forming a headed projection in the stock, companion dies for blanking out the stud from the stock and for bending the edge portion thereof, spring jaws for holding the stud in place after being bent, companion dies for doubling and flattening the edge portion of the base, and means movable transversely to the line of stock feed for transferring the stud from 7.

said jaws to the doubling dies.

6. In a stud making machine, the combi' nation of the machine vbed, a vertically movable upper die-carrier, cooperating dies on the bed and the carrier for forming the stud and separating it from the stock, and a stock feeder comprising a lower lever pivotally connected at its lower end to the base and having a stock gripping jaw, an upper lever pivotally connected with the upper end of the lower lever and having a stock gripping jaw, and a cam operated by the upper die-carrier for actuating the levers.

7. In a stud making machine, the combination of the machine bed, a vertically movable upper die-carrier, cooperating dies on the bed and carrier for forming the stud and separating it from the stock, and a stock feeder comprising a lower lever pivotally connected at its lower end to the base and having a stock gripping jaw, an upper lever pivotally connected with the upper end of the lower lever and having a stock gripping jaw, -a cam carried by the upper diecarrier for operating the levers, and an adjustable stop for limiting the movement of the upper lever relatively to the lower one.

8. A stud making machine comprising means for feeding a strip of stock, a series of dies to operate upon the stock to draw the metal therefrom to form a post, means for reducing the breadth of the post without inoreasingor decreasing the length of the same by returning part of the metal of the post to the stock, means for forming a head upon the post, means for blanking the post from the stock strip and for simultaneously bending the edge of the metal thus blanked, and means for curling over and bending down the said bentedge.

9. A stud making machine comprising means for operating upon the stock to form a post thereon, means for blanking the post from the stock and for bending the edge of the blanked portion while carried by said blanking means, and means for operating upon the said bent edge to curl the same upon the under face of the blanked portion.

10. In a stud making machine, a bed, a die carrier movable toward and away from the bed, a stock feeder on the bed, and means actuated by the said die carrier for operating the feeder to feed the stock.

11. In a stud making machine a bed, a die carrier movable toward and away from the bed, a stock feeder comprising upper and lower levers pivoted together at their adjacent ends and providing stock gripping jaws, one of said levers being pivoted to the bed, and a cam and slot connection between the other of said carrier.

12. In a machine of the character described, means for successively operating upon the stock to provide a post, means for blanking the stock around the post and for bending the edge of the base thus formed, clamping jaws for yieldably holding the base, doubling dies for operating upon said bent edge, and means for transferring the said 'base from the jaws to the doubling dies.

13. In a stud making machine, means for successively operating upon the stock to form a post, cooperating head forming dies to reduce the'breadth of the post below the upper end thereof, means for blanking the stock around the post, clamping jaws for the stud doubling dies, and means for trans ferring the stud from the said clamping jaws to the said doubling dies.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

WILLIAM NELSON. Witnesses:

EUGENE L. ROGER, GEORGE J. KNELL. 

